Reynolds remains undefeated after win over Tuscola

Reynolds remained undefeated with a win over Tuscola.(Photo: Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com)

Basketball doesn’t always make sense.

On Friday night, that was especially true for Tuscola senior Landon Henley, as his squad lost its first game of the season to undefeated Reynolds (7-0) on a play that can only be described as a freak accident

The score was 65-65, with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, when Reynolds inbounded the ball to forward Ethan Hefner for a quick 2-footer. But the hustling Henley out-jumped him, blocking the inbound pass and lofting the ball at such a steep angle that he managed to tip in a final basket just as the buzzer screeched — into Reynolds’ hoop.

For a moment, the crowd was stunned silent. Then wild cheers erupted. The basket was good, and Reynolds was now the last undefeated team in the Western Mountain 3A Conference.

“Honestly, I’m happy for our kids but I really felt for (Henley). He played his rear end off. He’s a handful. One of the best players in Western North Carolina.”

The 6-foot-5, 235 pound forward, who has already set a school record in rebounds this season, reeled off 18 points for Tuscola (6-1) on Friday night. And that was with Reynolds doing all they could to contain him, said Stevens.

“He has quick hands and feet, strong seals, and is good in the post. He hit a 3-pointer early in the game and I was saying oh boy.”